City of Edinburgh Council budget for 2024/25 prioritises addressing poverty, climate change, and local city services.
Council tenants will face a 7 per cent increase in rent, despite the Edinburgh Tenants Federation asking for the current rate to be frozen.
However the Council Tax is set to freeze, and will not increase for the coming financial year, after it increased by 5 per cent across all tax bands in 2023/24.
In a press release, City of Edinburgh Council said the tax freeze is intended to “tackle the city’s housing emergency,” after declaring a housing emergency in the capital on 2 November 2023.
Currently, full-time students do not pay council tax provided they only live with other students.
City of Edinburgh Council is funded by the Scottish Government, and since 2022, the City of Edinburgh Council has been run by Scottish Labour, with Cammy Day elected as the council leader.
Edinburgh City Council currently receives the lowest government funding per head of population out of Scotland’s 32 councils.
Money is due to be invested in infrastructure and leisure in Edinburgh.
£12.5m extra is set to be invested in roads, pavements, lighting, and drainage improvements.
This funding includes addressing complaints about potholes in the upcoming year.
Crucial funding of £3.2m has also been allocated to Edinburgh Leisure after concerns about the potential closure of swimming pools and leisure centres.
Permanent public toilets are also set to be built in Leith Links, the Meadows, and Inverleith Park.
“Cllrs. John Gilroy, Rebecca Moynihan and Cammy Day on the bus” by The Labour Party is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
The budget has also allocated around £27m for schools and young people.
In line with promises to tackle inequality, almost £3m is set for the city’s homelessness spend, as well as £500 000 towards reducing child poverty.
In order to fund the budget, City of Edinburgh Council will increase Pay and Display parking charges in the city centre.
£16m was also sourced via the pensions fund, at no impact to employees.
Cammy Day, City of Edinburgh Council Leader, said this budget will protect “vital frontline services” but that Edinburgh needs “fairer funding” from the Scottish Government in future.
“Edinburgh City Chambers at Night” by Hetx is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.